Is a breast lift really worth it?
Breast lift is the procedure performed to elevate droopy breasts. During the intervention, the volume of the breast is not changed; it is just their position on the chest wall that is corrected. Nowadays, it is very popular for women to undergo breast enhancement procedures, but the most sought-after one is the breast augmentation procedure with implants. So, the question comes to mind – is it really worth it to get a breast lift if you’re not getting implants too?
To answer this question, we need to have a look at the best candidates for the procedure, how the intervention is performed and what results are to be expected after the recovery. The breast lift procedure targets different women – women with saggy breasts, breasts that lack upper pole volume and look deflated.
How do droopy breasts occur?
The breasts change their shape and position on the chest wall with aging. With the natural passing of time, the breasts lose their youthful and beautiful aspect. However, it is not only time that leaves its unwanted marks at the level of the breasts. Some women are confronted with breast sagginess quite early in life as a result of one or multiple pregnancies or because their breasts are too heavy.
Breast sagginess can be caused or affected by a pregnancy, breastfeeding, as well as hereditary factors, aging, and also weight fluctuations.
During the breast lift procedure, the plastic surgeon can also correct enlarged areolas or the position of the nipple/ areola complex on the breasts.
What you should know about breast ptosis
Droopy breasts are called breast ptosis in medical terms. And there are different levels of breast ptosis. To get an idea about the level of ptosis you are dealing with, all you have to do is get in front of a mirror and take your t-shirt and bra off. Facing the mirror, have a look at where the nipple is positioned compared to the inframammary fold.
When the nipple is positioned at the level of the inframammary fold or under the inframammary fold, the chances are your breasts are sagging. Also, pay attention to the inferior pole of the breast compared to the fold. Is most of the glandular tissue under the inframammary fold? Then your breasts are probably sagging.
Breast ptosis is often characterized by breasts with no upper pole volume. The breasts look like all the glandular tissue is concentrated under the level of the fold under the breasts. This makes breasts have an unnatural position on the chest wall. More than this, women with saggy breasts tend to avoid wearing certain types of clothes and bras that don’t offer support or don’t elevate the breasts.
The only efficient solution to correct saggy breasts is with the help of plastic surgery. As breast ptosis occurs as a result of loose breast ligaments, there are no physical exercises that could help with the reposition of the breasts. Keep in mind that we use physical exercises to strengthen muscles; breasts are mostly glandular tissue and fat, the muscle in the chest muscles, underneath the breasts.
Breast lift to correct saggy breasts
The breast lift procedure won’t change the size of your breasts, at least not in a way that would make a difference. If you want to go up or down with your breasts size, you need to consider getting a breast lift with implants or a breast reduction surgery instead.
The breast lift procedure can be associated with breast augmentation for patients who want to augment the breasts, but the breast implants alone won’t correct breast sagginess. Keep in mind that the volume of the breasts can affect the sagginess. In other words, the larger the breasts, the more chances for early onset of breast ptosis.
Breast reduction surgery might be a better option for you if your breasts are overly large compared to the rest of your body frame. Excessively large breasts can be droopy and cause other problems such as bad posture, back, neck, and shoulders pain.
How is the breast lift performed?
What is important to know about the breast lift intervention compared to breast augmentation and breast reduction is that the procedure is associated with fewer risks and potential complications. More than this, the recovery is pretty straightforward for most patients.
When the breast lift is performed, the patient is under general anesthesia, so there will be no pain and discomfort experienced during the surgery. The plastic surgeon will make incisions in the inframammary fold, around the edges of the areolas, and even on the breasts (a vertical incision on the inferior pole of the breasts going from the inframammary fold to the edge of the areola). There are different techniques and methods used to lift the breasts, and a suitable operative plan will be recommended by your plastic surgeon during the initial consultation and depending on the level of breast ptosis.
The plastic surgeon will make incisions, detach the skin from the glandular tissue and reposition the tissue in the correct position on the chest wall. Excess skin is removed, and the incisions are sutured.
The recovery period after a breast lift surgery is not overly complicated for the patient. Avoiding ample arms movements and intense physical activities is a must, as well as avoiding smoking.
Final words
The breast lift surgery procedure is definitely worth it if you are dealing with saggy breasts. Regaining a youthful appearance of the breasts with the help of a breast lift can have a positive impact not only on your self-esteem but also on your relationship and personal life as a whole.
Women undergoing the procedure mention they feel more feminine, are able to wear clothes that were not an option before, and their self-image has improved considerably.
To find out if you are a good candidate for the breast lift procedure, contact our talented, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Essie Yates, at the Yates Institute for Plastic Surgery in Fort Lauderdale.